Pennsylvania Legalizes Online Poker & Other iGaming

Pennsylvania has become the fourth American State to legalize online gaming. They join Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada as the only states in the US with legal online poker.

Online gaming bill H 271 was passed by the Pennsylvania Senate on Wednesday, and approved in the House on Thursday.

This gave Governor Tom Wolf 10 days to decide whether or not to approve the legislation. Wolf quickly signed the bill into effect, thus legalizing multiple forms of online gaming in the Keystone State.

Pennsylvania Finally Passes Long-Awaited Online Poker Bill

Pennsylvania is facing a huge $2 billion budget shortfall. And they’ve been considering online gaming to help meet this deficit for the past few years.

Unfortunately, negotiations on the overall budgetary package haven’t gone smoothly on several occasions. But state politicians are coming closer to a resolution, which cleared the way for iGaming to be approved.

What Does H 271 Cover?

The passage of iGaming bill H 271 clears the way for multiple new forms of gaming in the state. From an online perspective, this includes casino games, daily fantasy sports, online poker, and slots.

In terms of land-based gaming, truck stops are now allowed to offer slot machines, and 10 mini-casinos will be built across the state.

The legislation also allows for legal sports betting in case New Jersey wins their lawsuit in the Supreme Court. The Garden State is currently battling the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which bans sports betting in all but four states (grandfathered in).

Poker Players Alliance is Happy

John Pappas, Executive Director of the Poker Players Alliance, is excited about the prospect of legal internet poker in the Keystone State.

“Pennsylvania made the right decision today,” said Pappas. “This is a major victory for consumers who, for years, have asked the state to step up and provide meaningful protections.

“The iGaming law will also help create new growth opportunities for the Commonwealth’s brick and mortar casinos while providing needed revenue for the state budget.”